want help from the pros

Millis Transfer - Conway Truck Load

 

I am a Schneider Driver so i'll say that up front i'd also like to say Thank you for your service to our Country. Now i say call Schneider National and speak with them they no longer offer a school but they do have a Military program that might be worth checking out. Good Luck and Merry Christmas.....................

 

Central Ref isn't all that bad. Not sure what you mean by a lot of people get scammed by them..

 

Thank you for your service, and Happy Holidays.



Safe Miles,

Larry

 

i'll second the thank you for serving our country.

And my opinion,my pick would also be schneider. But you gotta start somewhere and Central Ref, or Swift (where i started in 98) would not be the worse you could do. i myself prefer Reefer companies

i also think you would be wise to not do company training. That gives you the option of finding a better fit if needed. And also you are likely to get more in depth training. i went to company sponsored training all all the trainers said "there is stuff i'd like to tell you but i can't" and looking in the door to another class, i saw they were doing stuff we weren't.
i recommend a Community college course if you can. Best of Luck Cuz

 

Do you qualify for the "Post 9/11 G.I. Bill"?? I bet you do.

Schneider National has a program for training, but not a school. They do have information available by contacting them via their web site.


Also, I have read a lot of drivers talk about company schools and training and the many problems they have had... however, it is possible that the happy people are too busy running and do not post.

I drove for Swift when I first got out of school, if you listen to most peoples opinions you will have an impression Swift is a bad company to drive for; I personally liked driving for Swift. I only left due to the needs of my family and to get a better schedule at Schneider. I had a good DM at Swift, Jill Henry, and felt they did everything they could to help me be successful. They provided me tons of training - about two weeks of class room training total - Yard work (Close Quarters Training) - 50 hours of driving with a trainer sitting in the seat beside me 100% of the time - 4 weeks on the road with a trainer total where I was hauling freight and learning the profession; not just the job duties; thanx Jim Allen. I completed training two weeks early as I am a natural backer, have pulled a lot of other trailers with various sized trucks, and I drove every second I was able to get my required hours. Some drivers take longer. Swift always seemed like a company that would try to work with drivers that were professional. However, as I said, not everyone is happy there.

Schneider National is a great company to drive for. I drove regional for them. I am off the road till a local gig comes up that will allow me to be with my kids daily; or most days anyway.

I believe Schneider's program walks you through getting a school, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, licensing, and post graduation training. I suggest you get a hold of them to find out the details. Post back with details if you do.

Good luck fellow Veteran

 

First Central doesn't 'train' into a lease program. You train to be a company driver. YOU decide to lease or not. I have been driving a company truck for Central for over a year now.

As for training Central has a program called C.R.A.F.T. Any honorably discharged vet or active guard/reserve are eligible for it. They pay your training 100% and you give them a year of your time. My year blew by so fast it almost got a speeding ticket

Yes like any company they have some problems, but you as a driver can minimize those problems easily enough..

Bottom line is Central is a very good starter company. If you dig deep enough you will find most problems were caused by unrealistic expectations by the drivers themselves or their inability to deal with an issue with a level head..

Personally I am happy enough where I am to stay here a while longer, but that is me and my Central experience. Yours could vary greatly..

 

Thanks Skip1965 and CelticWolf....It seem to me that how you handle issues and conduct yourself is what makes or breaks ones experience with a company. With Swift or England for example, I know many say don't waste ones time going through their program and that you will be taken advantage of. Everyone has to start somewhere when learning a new trade, and unless one starts their own company it will usually be at the bottom. I would think if one went into a program and conducted themselves to be teachable and willingness to extend themselves, they would get farther ahead quicker than by having an behavior of being owed something....I am not saying those who have posted about companies in a negative manner don't have legitamit experiences or reasons sharing negitive thoughts. I look at the big picture, for example, if a company has 3000 drivers and 800 have bad problems and issues but the other 2200 are working and happy, I would like to know the statistics in attitude and personal behavior as to which category one was in...No matter where one goes, there will be no perfect scenario and issues and differences will arise. My one question might be working for a company is what is the best way to find and get along with a DM and dipatchers?